Creatively Crafty Goes Back to School

The latest episode of Creatively Crafty with Cindi Bisson is now live - I'm showing you how to create quick & cute zipper pulls using Makin's Clay® and JudiKins Diamond Glaze.    - Cindi

Faux Quilted Travel Jewelry Pouch

In my latest episode of Behind These Eyes on When Creativity Knocks - I'm using a great set of stamps from Unity Stamp Co. designed by Ann Butler to create a pretty travel jewelry pouch.  

Getting It Straight & Catching Memories

 

http://www.kellycraftblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/scoring-made-easy-with-kellycraft-laser.html

I have a couple of new projects to share today - the first is a new KellyCraft Innovations video showing how the KellyCraft Get-it-Straight Laser Square makes scoring paper and cardstock super simple.

The second is this simple project featuring Connie Crystal & Craft Attitude - what I call "Memory Catchers" - instructions are featured here on the Connie Crystal Blog.

Cre8time to get crafty today! - Cindi

Stamped Tube Beads featuring Makin's Clay® - New Episode of Creatively Crafty

In my new episode of Creatively Crafty with Cindi Bisson I'm sharing an easy technique to create stamped tube beads using Makin's Clay®, ColorBox inks, and a great JudiKins stamp. 

Designer Craft Connection Blog Hop - Flowers

It's April and time for the Designer Craft Blog Connection blog hop.  This month our theme was “flowers” - with the added challenge of creating our flowers from something we had around the house.  There are almost endless options if you really think about it - flowers made with newspaper, coffee filters, cupcake liners, paper towels, napkins, plastic grocery bags, paper bags, gift wrap, window screens, cardboard, chipboard from food boxes, even fabric from old clothes.   Be sure to hop through the links to see what the other participating designers are sharing by clicking on the on the DCC icon in the right column.   

This past week, I had a request to make some of those popular “high heel cupcakes” popping up these days.   Always eager to try something new in creative baking, I was happy to give it a whirl.   I changed my ideas for the decoration in my mind many times, eventually deciding I wanted flowers of some sort.  However, time was limited and I didn’t have enough time to make fondant flowers, and my hand decorating skills are lacking.   I scoured our pantry trying to spark an idea on what I could use to create colorful flowers, quickly, without heading off to the grocery store.  My answer?  Gummy worms.  Yes - gummy worms.   I discovered this little bag of sour worms matched the colors of the heels for the cupcakes (made with Airheads candy).  I cut 5 ends about 1/2” in each color, arranged them in a flower shape, and tinted some white chocolate chips purple to make centers.   Voila - sugary, colorful flowers without having to head to the grocery store or roll fondant.  

Why not look around your house to see what unexpected items you can use to create unique flowers for your creative projects?  - Cindi 

Faith is a Bird Mixed-Media Pendant

It is such an honor for me to be part of the ICE Resin® Special Projects Team.  I love creating with their resin and their other wonderful assortment of creative ephemera!   And I really enjoy how the resin works so well with some of other favorite products, like Makin's Clay which I used to create these tiny birds eggs for the nest. My latest project is a celebration of spring - it's a multi-dimensional, mixed-media pendant inspired by the quote from a Cosmo Cricket Tiny Text sticker verse - find the instructions here on the ICE Resin® blog - http://iceresin.com/icequeen/2013/03/faith-is-the-bird-a-mixed-media-pendant-by-cindi-bisson/

Captured Ocean Pendant

The latest episode of my series "Behind These Eyes" is now live on the When Creativity Knocks website - learn how I made this "Captured Ocean" pendant with ICE Resin®, Rit Liquid Dye and more - http://whencreativityknocks.com/mycraftspace/m/videos/view/Behind-These-Eyes-Ocean-Pendant

Ice Cream Cone Garland with Smoothfoam!

 

I've been having a lot of fun designing with Smoothfoam lately - and my latest project is now on their blog -

 http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/national-craft-month-ice-cream-cone-party-garland/

It's an ice cream cone party garland - and these little buggers look good enough to eat :0).   Want to find out how to make one of your own?  Check out the Smoothfoam blog!

Also -

Want a chance to WIN $100 worth of Smoothfoam sheets and shapes? Just leave on comment on this project post (click the “replies” link) - http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/national-craft-month-ice-cream-cone-party-garland/ - and come back to the Smoothfoam blog to leave a comment on every post in March to enter! That’s up to 31 chances to win…good luck!

Tropical Topiary made with Smoothfoam!

I've got a new project posted on the Smoothfoam blog - find the instructions to make your own tropical hibiscus topiary at this link -

http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/national-craft-month-tropical-hibiscus-topiary/

Plus - Want a chance to WIN $100 worth of Smoothfoam sheets and shapes? Just leave on comment on the Smoothfoam blog on the linked post (click the “replies” link below) and come back to their blog and leave a comment on every post in March to enter! That’s up to 31 chances to win…good luck!

A Favorite Technique - Floating Chalk Backgrounds

March is National Craft Month!!!  The Designer Craft Connection blog group  is celebrating by bringing you some of our favorite techniques this month.   I'm sharing what certainly isn't a new technique to many stampers, but it's one of my favorites and one I fall back to time and time again when I want pretty and unique background papers for my paper crafting projects.  Be sure to follow the DCC link in the column on the right to see what the other participating designers have shared this month!   

I think all colors are beautiful – my preferences change as often as my moods these days.  Sometimes I crave cobalt blue, rich browns and deep mossy greens.  Sometimes vibrant red, black & white.  This time of year as spring approaches I find myself reaching for sunshine yellow tones.  Every so often, pastels call out to me.  However; whether it’s my toenail polish, or my artwork, I always seem to gravitate back to shades of blue-greens:  teal, aquamarine, turquoise, sea glass blues & greens.  The colors of the Caribbean sea always brighten my day.  

Colorful floating chalk backgrounds are very easy to create!  While you may start with the same colors, no two pieces of this unique paper will ever be identical.  The way the colors blend and swirl is just beautiful.

Materials:

Decorator chalks
Craft blade
Shallow baking dish
Water
White cardstock cut to fit in baking dish

Instructions:

Place approximately ½” of water into the baking dish.  Set aside.

 
Choose 2-3 shades of complementary colored chalks.  Use craft knife blade to gently scrape first color of chalk onto the top of the water.  Be careful not to “chunk” it – as the larger pieces will simply sink.  You want a fine powder of chalk floating on the surface of the water.

Repeat with 2nd and 3rd colors.

Place cardstock face down onto water and press gently.  Do not push onto the bottom of the baking dish.  Just let the cardstock float on the surface.  Wait about 5 seconds - it will begin to curl back from the water.  Gently lift out of the water and set aside to dry.  

To speed up drying time, use a heat tool.  If cardstock is curled, iron on low setting to flatten.
No fixative is needed.

Repeat steps 2-3 to create additional pieces of background paper.

Add a bit of Pearl-Ex powders or use shimmering chalks for a sparkling effect.  Try interference shades of Pearl-Ex powders on dark cardstock for a “galaxy” background.  Layer with coordinating cardstocks, stamp directly over the background, let your creative muse guide you!

Sea Turtle Pendant with Connie Crystal & ICE Resin

Find out how I combined products from some of my favorite manufacturers to create the sea turtle pendant - the tutorial is here on the Connie Crystal blog! 

P.S.... Yes, I am dreaming of summer days already! - Cindi

Happy Birthday with Buttons Galore and More

This month Buttons Galore & More sponsored the Designer Craft Connection challenge.  I, along with many other of the designers in the group, received a fun assortment of buttons to design with.  I've got a few more projects waiting to be completed.  My project is a black, white & silver themed "elegant" birthday card.  Be sure to follow the DCC link to see all of the other Buttons Galore & More projects to inspire your creativity!  - Cindi

Materials:

Buttons Galore and More Haberdashery Black & White Mix, Black Pleated Ribbon
Score, Fold, Create! by Diana Crick, Penny Wessenauer and Friends
Scor-Pal® scoring tool
The Robin's Nest papers - "Classified," black cardstock, "Damask Black & White"
Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry™Paper Glue
Clearsnap® ColorBox® silver pigment brush pad
Elmer's Designer Masking Tape - Primary Designs
ScraPerfect Perfect Crafting Pouch
JudiKins Happy Birthday Copperplate stamp 
Black inkpad
Westcott® Titanium Trim Air Trimmer, Titanium Non-Stick Scissors
Paper Wishes Silver metallic foil tape by Amaco
Impress Art brass stamping hammer, steel stamping block, Flourish I and Flourish G stamps
Earth Safe Finishes Generation Green black acrylic paint

Instructions: 

Create focal button flower embellishment by arranging layers of buttons from the Buttons Galore and More Haberdashery Black & White Mix.  Begin on a black cardstock square base and build upward, using Beacon Zip Dry paper glue.








Cut black cardstock, Damask paper and Classified paper following measurements in instructions for Flexy Fold Card in Score, Fold, Create! book.  Score front pieces as indicated in instructions using Scor-Pal.








Ink edges of all white papers with silver ColorBox® inkpad.  Pat with Perfect Crafting Pouch to dry ink immediately.

Assemble card following instructions, add Elmer's damask masking tape as an accent along top edge of right front flap, and along bottom inside edge of all pieces of card as shown.










Stamp JudiKins Happy Birthday verse onto white paper with black inkpad.  Trim, ink edges with silver ink and pat dry with Perfect Crafting Pouch.









Use Impress Art stamps to stamp alternating pattern on silver foil tape.  Apply black paint to stamped areas, wipe to remove excess.  This will enhance your stamped areas.


Assemble card following instructions from book.  For front right folding panel, mount strip of Black Pleated ribbon beneath damask tape.  Mount button flower to left edge of right flap.
Mount stamped metal foil strip over center of ribbon.

Mount verse and accent papers on inside of card as shown, adding strip of stamped foil tape vertically on left edge of verse. 

Love Notes Keepsake Treasure Box

Mixed-media galore are used on this treasure box for special keepsakes - and check out the cute little poem ICE Resin® wrote to go with it on their blog post today!    ICE Resin®, mica, Bella Dames papers, Spellbinders™Imperial Gold dies, Expo International trim, Earth Safe Finishes Shimmer Opaque and Connie Crystals - This box has it all!  - Cindi

Die Cut Mugs, Valentine Treasure Box & A Book Review

What do Die Cut Mugs, Valentine Treasure Box & a Book Review have in common?  They are all my current projects on the When Creativity Knocks site!  You can find them each by following these links -

Die cut embellished mugs featuring Earth Safe Finishes & Spellbinders dies





Cindi's Simple Solutions - Valentine "Treasure" Box

New Book Review:  Modern Mod Podge® by Kimberly Mueller

And, check out Ana Araujo's adorable embroidered felt pins too in Ana's Creative Chaos!  

What will you Cre8time to make for Valentine's Day this year? - Cindi

"Heart on Your Sleeve" Cuff Bracelet

Good bye January and hello February!  Another month closer to SPRING!  It's time for the monthly Designer Craft Blog Connection hop!  This month our theme is "Love".  Be sure to follow the link in the column on the right to see what other "lovely" projects the designers are sharing this month! Also, in celebration of March being National Craft Month, Julie McGuffee is going a giveaway of a selection of Fabscraps products featured on her show Scrapbook Soup!  And next Monday, be sure to pop in and see what the participating designers are sharing as part of the manufacturer challenge this month sponsored by Buttons Galore & More.  - Cindi

Materials:

Industrial Chic™ by Susan Lenart Kazmer™ changeable cuff bracelet
ICE Resin®, Jewelers Grade Molding Putty, Opaque Silk Ribbon
Earth Safe Finishes™ Gold Shimmer Opaque
ScraPerfect Best Glue Ever
Jacquard Pearl Ex Powdered Pigment - Micropearl
Filigree heart charm
Jewelry Pliers

Instructions:

ICE Resin’s® molding putty should come with a warning - it’s addictive!  One of my many molds was made by mixing two equal parts of the putty components and inserting a heart filigree charm.

Mix ICE Resin® according to manufacturer instructions.  Add Micropearl Pearl Ex Powdered

The result is a pearlized finish in your molded piece (this is the back)

Pigment in small amounts until desired opacity is achieved.  Pour into mold Let cure.


Use finger tip to apply gold Earth Safe Finishes™ Shimmer Opaque to the raised filigree areas on the molded heart.

Unscrew and remove elements from top of changeable cuff bracelet.  Set aside for another project.

Use jewelry pliers to cut screw back to approximately 1/8” from bracelet.

Cut length of wide red opaque silk ribbon to fit cuff.

Apply Best Glue Ever to center of bracelet, horizontally across entire surface.  Let dry until clear, yet still tacky. 

Mount ribbon, pushing screw through center.

Apply Best Glue Ever to center of bracelet around screw.  Let dry until clear, but still tacky.

Press molded heart onto center of bracelet, using light force to push screw into back of resin, and adhering to glue.

PEACE with Rit Dye

Let there be PEACE this holiday season - give the gift of "Peace Cookies" in a jar and a hand-made ornament featuring Rit Dye, twine from The Twinery, and a funky Blumenthal Lansing button!  Find the full tutorial on the Rit Dye site.

A Bit of Bronze Bling with Sparkle

Bronze meets bling - you can find the full instructions on how I combined Connie Crystals and Piccolo charms from GlobeCraft Memories at the CC blog here.   I love designing new mixed-media projects - they challenge me to think outside the box! - Cindi

Ombre Onesies with Rit Liquid Dye & Spellbinders!

In this episode of When Creativity Knocks - we transform Rit Liquid Dye, Spellbinders and JudiKins products into adorable ombre onesies!  (And we say "Ombre" a lot - hey, we like that word.)  Enjoy! - Cindi

Feather Tree & Paper Birds

This feather tree with shimmering paper birds was a project originally created last year for my Cindi's Simple Solutions column for the When Creativity Knocks Creative Journal - but I think it would fit right in with the holiday decorating trends I've been spotting this year in the magazines so I'm sharing it again here.

The tree itself came together in less than a half hour.    Based on a decoration my sons made at school several years ago, the simple little birds add a touch of nature along with a bit of sparkle.  

Materials:

Krylon Silver Leafing Pen
Bamboo skewer
Wooden spool
White feathers approximately 4-5” long
The Robin's Nest Calamity Jane patterned paper
Scissors
Glue gun & glue sticks
JudiKins Diamond Glaze and Quicksilver Roxs 
White thread
 

Use the silver leafing pen to color the bamboo skewer and spool.   Hot glue the skewer to center of the spool for base of tree. 




Begin at the bottom of the tree with the largest feathers and hot glue 5 evenly spaced around the bottom of the tree.   Continue upward reducing the size of the feathers slightly by trimming them with scissors.

 








Cut 7 small (approximately 1”) basic side view bird images from patterned paper.    Cut 7 rectangles from patterned paper approximately 1” x 1 1/2”. 

Accordion fold the rectangles at approximately 1/8” intervals.

Cut small slit horizontally in center wing area of each bird.   Slip through folded paper, bend upward and hot glue together to create wings.

Apply Diamond Glaze to back (white) side of birds.  While wet, coat with Quicksilver Roxs.  The chunkier texture of Roxs adds great texture and shine to catch the light on your little birds.

Hot glue white thread loops to back of wings on birds.  Hang from tree.

Cut approximately 5” circle from patterned paper.  Apply thin line of Diamond Glaze around top outside edge and sprinkle with Roxs.  Hot glue spool to center. - Happy Holiday Crafting! - Cindi